The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

I am Barrister Peter Smith,I am writting in respect of my foreign
client, whom On the 25th of July 2000, died in the Air France concord plane
crash bound for New York with his family.You can read more on the link
below.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/859479.stm
since then I have been trying to reach his relations,all to no avail.A few
day ago,I recieved a letter from a bank where he deposited the sum of
$20,000,000,00 (Twenty million united state dollars),mandating me as his
personal attorney, to produce the next of kin to my late client, or have the
account confiscated within a period of 14 bank working days. I got your
contact through my countries & #8216;s foreign exchange commission after I
was convinced by providence that your name could be used as the next of
kin.
The request of the foreigner as a next of kin,is occasioned by the fact
that my late client in quote is a foreigner and a Nigerian cannot stand as
the next of kin to a foreigner.I agreed that 40% of this money will be for
you as a foreign partner in respect of providing a new bank account or we
can use your old account information, while the rest will be for me,
thereafter, I will visit your country for disbursement . Therefore, to
facilitate the immediate transfer of this fund to your account as arranged,
you must apply first to the bank through my chambers as a relation to the
deceased.To enable me prepare your application, please provide this
necessary infomation

Upon the receipt of your reply, an application will be
sent to the bank presenting you as next of kin to my late client.
I will not fail to bring to your notice that this business is
hitch-free and that you should not entertain any fear as all legal documents
to back up this deal is intact. You should contact me immediately as soon as
you receive this letter. Trusting to hear from you.